| Veniamin Petrovich Nechayev | |
| Native Name Lang: | ru |
| Alias: | Venedikt Petrovich Nechayev |
| Birth Date: | 20 March 1915 |
| Birth Place: | Novonikolayevsk, Russian Empire |
| Death Place: | Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Sovet Union |
| Occupation: | Musician, film actor |
| Instrument: | guitar |
| Genre: | estrada |
| Years Active: | 19481979 |
| Associated Acts: | duet Nechayev & Rudakov |
Veniamin Petrovich Nechayev (20 March 191515 August 1987, also Venedikt) was a Soviet musician (guitarist) and film actor, the member of the estrada duet of Nechayev & Rudakov, which was popular in the 1950s.[1] He was the Merited Artist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1961).[2]
Veniamin Nechayev was born in Novonikolayevsk on 20 March 1915. He graduated from music school. In 1938, he became a laureate of the All-Union contest of artists-instrumentalists. He worked in Novosibirsk radio committee's orchestra. He fought in World War II.[1]
He met Pavel Rudakov in Khabarovsk during their military service in the post-war years. After demobilization they worked in Far East Philharmonic Hall for about three years.[1]
In 1948, Nechayev and Rudakov formed a estrada duet and gave first concert in Leningrad. They accompanied themselves; lyrics for them were written by Konstantinov, Ratser, Grey, Merlin. Lyrics were written on topical issues (In newspaper at morning – in verse at evening) thus shaping the popularity of the duet which had become one of the signs of the times of the Khrushchev Thaw.[1] Even Nikita Khrushchev himself treated Nechayev and Rudakov with sympathy; artists were invited to important meetings on cultural issues.[3]
In 1962, the duet was dissolved.[1] The duet was reunited one time specifically for filming in Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears – director invited them to participate in the movie, with a view to recreation the atmosphere of 1950s.[2]
After 1962, Nechayev worked as master of ceremonies. He died on 15 August 1987 in Leningrad.[2]